Anatomical articulator with condyle adjustment



C. F. TULLY March 29, 1949.

ANATOMICAL ARTICULATOR WITH CONDYLE ADJUSTMENT Filed Nov. 21, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 H m m.! mF

ZQQcH W ATTORNEY March 29, 1949. c. F. TULLY 2,465,61 8

ANATOMICAL ARTICULATOR WITH CONDYLE ADJUSTMENT Filed Nov. 21. 1945 2 Shets-Sheet 2 l3 g c.

FIG. 4

. INVENTOR. CHARLES E TULLY ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 29, 1949 ANATOMICAL ARTICULATOR WITH CONDYLE ADJUSTMENT Charles F. Tully, San Diego, Calif.

Application November 21, 1945, Serial No. 630,043

4 Claims. 1

My invention relates to an anatomical articulator with condyle adjustments more particularly for use in making dental plates which are properly arranged in accordance with the condyle anatomy of the patient. And the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide an articulator of this class which affords condyle adjustments in the setting of dental plates during the construction thereof;

Second, to provide an articulator of this class in which the base frame member and the pivoted frame member are substantially U-shaped whereby the supporting plates are freely accessible from all sides;

Third, to provide an articulator of this class having very accurate scales and adjustment means in connection therewith for making condyle adjustments of the dental plates relative to each other when fitting the same;

Fourth. to provide an articulator of this class which promotes very accurate and scientific reproduction of dentures in accordance with the patients original teeth;

Fifth, to provide an articulator of this class in which two separate axles are adjustable to conform with the condyle anatomy of various patients being fitted with new dentures; and

' Sixth, to provide an articulator of this class which is very simple and economical of construction, eflicient in its action and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objects in view as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of such novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims.

Reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereof, forming a part of this application in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top or plan view of my anatomical articulator with condyle adjustments. Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof showing a part thereof fragmentarily. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view of my anatomical articulator with condyle adjustments.

The base frame, I, is substantially U-shaped as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings and is provided with a horizontally disposed portion la on which the plate 3 is secured, which is supported at its rear portion by the foot 3a, all as shown best in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The upwardly extending ends of the base frame I are each provided with substantially horizontal hollow cylindrical portions lb, provided with longitudinally slotted portions lc in opposite sidewalls thereof, through which extend the condyle adjustment indicators 6, which forms bearings for the pivotal connection of the pivoted frame 2 with the base frame I.

The condyle adjustment indicators 6 are provided with straight bearing portions Ba as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing, which are fixed in the pistons l0, reciprocally mounted in the hollow cylindrical portions lb of the base frame I. It will be here noted that the fixed relation of these condyle adjustment indicators in connection with the pistons l0, prevents rotational movement of each condyle adjustment indicator, relative to the base frame I. These condyle adjustment indicators 6, in connection with the pistons II]. are longitudinally mounted in the hollow cylindrical portions lb of the base frame I and the slotted portions lc therein, to accommodate movement of the protruding portions of the condyle adjustment indicator at opposite sides of the hollow cylindrical portions lb of the base frame I.

As shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing, each of the pistons I0 is engaged by a spring l4, positioned in the hollow cylindrical portion lb of the base frame I, retained by a plug ll secured in place by a pin Ila. The opposite end of the piston I0 is engaged by one of the condyle adjustment screws l2, screw threaded in one of the nuts 9, secured by means of the screws 9a in the hollow cylindrical portion lb of the base frame I, all as shown best in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

As shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the pivoted frame 2 is substantially U-shaped and is arranged in inverted relation to the base frame l, and pivotally supported on the condyle adjustment indicators at its bearing portions 2a.

It will be here noted that each of the condyle adjustment indicators forms a separate axis for making condyle adjustments of the pivoted frame 2, relatively to'the base frame I.

' The scales I are positioned on the upper sides of the hollow tubular portions lb of the base frame I, and cooperate with the upwardly and inwardly extending pointer portions 61) of the condyle adjustment indicators 6, as shown best in Fig. l of the drawings.

The dial gages 8 are secured on the plugs H by brackets lib and these dial gages 8 are provided with plungers 8a, engaged with the condyle adjustment indicators for synchronous operations therewith. The stop screws l3 are screw threaded in boss portions Id of the base frame I and engage stop portions 21) protruding from the pivoted frame 2 for limiting the pivotal movement of the pivoted frame 2, relative to the. base frame I in one direction.

The pivoted frame 2 is provided with a yoke portion in which a boss portion 2d is secured;

having a bore 2e therein, as shown best in Fig. 1 of the drawing. Reciprocally mountedinr this bore 2e is the shaft 5 on the lower end of'which is supported the plate 4. I

The shaft 5 is provided with a fiat portion 5a, engaged by the set screw 5bfor fixing the'plate 4 in certain position relatively to the pivoted frame 2.

The operation of my anatomical articulator wi h condyle adjustment is substantially as fol.- lows:

Dentures are secured inccnnection with the plates 3 and d by wax or other suitable. material and may be adjusted relatively to each other by means of the condyle adjustment screws l2, bearing on the pistons l0, carryingthe condyle adjustment indicators 6. As thesecondyle adjustment screws I2 are forced inwardly into. the hollow cylindrical portions lb of the base frame I, the pistons l0, together with the condyle adjustment indicators 6, move longitudinally in the slotted portions Io, carrying. the pointer portions Eb, together with the plungers 8a of the dial gages 8, longitudinally of the. scales. 1, indicating a certain measurement in accordance with the condyle anatomy of thepatient, to which the dentures are being fitted.

It will be here noted that different readings may appear in connection with each of the con-.- dyle adjustment indicators with respect to the particular anatomical requirement. of the; patient.

The stop screwsv 13 are used to limit the pivotal movement of the pivoted frame 2,. relatively to the base frame! in the forward direction for maintaining certain disposition of the. plate-4, relatively to the plate 3.. In operation, the

springs l4 maintain.thecondyleadjustment indicators in fixed relation with the condyle adjustment screws I2Ifor positiveisettingof the adjustment in accordance with-the. scales 1 and dial gages 8.. Thesespringsfll abut .the pistons ill on one end and,the..opposite ends. of said pistons in abut screws 12. Whichare. adjustably fixed and movable longitudinally, of the axis of said pistons lflinthe framev When the frame 2 is moved. back-wardly, the pin 6a causes the piston It to compressthe spring [4. Plate l may be reciprocally elevated or lowered by. means of the shaft 5 in its reciprocal relation to the bore 2e of the boss 2d. The screw 5b is normally tightly engaged with the flat side 5a of. the shaft 5 for maintaining fixed adjustment of. the" plate i in verticalspaced relationship to theplate .3.

Though I have shownand described a particular construction,. combination and arrangement of parts and portions I do' not wishtobe liniited to the particular. structure, construction,

combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope of my invention, the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an articulator of the class described the combination of a substantially U-shaped base frame having upwardly extending end portions, provided with substantially horizontal hollow cylindrical portions, said hollow cylindrical portions having longitudinally slotted portions in opposite side walls, spring loaded pistons reciprocally mounted in said hollow. cylindrical portions and condyle adjustment indicators extending through said slotted portions and said pistons in fixed relation with said pistons and a pivoted frame member substantially U shaped in form and arranged in inverted relation to said base frame member and pivotally mounted on the axis of said condyle adjustment indicators.

2; In'an-articulator of the class described the combination of a substantially U-shaped base frame having upwardly extending end portions, provided with substantiallyhorizontal hollow cylindrical portions, said hollow cylindrical portions having longitudinally slotted portions in opposite side walls, springloaded pistons reciprocally mounted in said hollow cylindrical portions, condyle adjustment indicators extending through said slottedportions and said pistons in fixed relation, with saidpistons, and a pivoted frame member substantially U shaped inform and arranged in inverted relation to said base frame member and pivotally mounted on the axis of said condyle adjustment indicators and calibrated means cooperating with said condyle adjustment indicator for indicating the relativelateral disposition of the. base frame relatively to the pivoted frame at the extending ends thereof.

3. In anarticulator of the class described the combination of. asubstantially U-shaped base frame having upwardly extending'end portions, provided with substantially horizontal hollow cylindrical portions, said hollow cylindrical portions having longitudinally slotted portions in opposite side walls, spring loaded pistons reciprocally mounted insaid hollow. cylindrical portions, condyleadjustment indicators extending through said slotted portions and said pistons in fixedlrelation with. said pistons, a pivoted frame member substantially- U.-shap ed in form and arranged in invertedrelationto said base frame member and 'pivotallymounted on the axis of said condyle adjustment. indicators, calibrated means cooperating. withsaid condyle.- adjustmentindicator for indicatingthe relative lateral diSpOSi': tion of.) the base.-.frame.. relatively to the pivoted frame. at the, extending; ends thereoiand stop means arranged tolimit the pivotal movementof said pivoted framerelatively to said. base frame in one direction. v

4. In an articulator of the class described the combination of' a. substantially U-shaped base frame having upwardly extending end portions, provided with substantially.horizontal hollow cylindrical portions, saidhollow cylindrical portions having longitudinally slottedportions in opposite side walls, spring loaded pistons reciprocally mounted in said hollow cylindri'calportions, con.- dyle adjustment indicators, extending through saidslotted portions andsaid pistons in fixedrelation with saidpistons, a .pivotedframe. member substantially, U.-shaped in form. and arranged in inverted relation to said base frame member and pivotally mounted on the axis of said condyle adjustment indicator for indicating the relative lateral disposition of the base frame relatively to the pivoted frame at the extending ends thereof, stop means arranged to limit the pivotal movement of said pivoted frame relatively to said base frame in one direction, and plates secured in connection with said pivoted frame and said base frame in spaced relation to each other.

CHARLES F. TULLY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Walker Sept. 1, 1896 Burch Dec. 9, 1913 Wilson Oct. 16, 1923 Phillips Feb. 9, 1937 Neustadt May 19, 1942 Bodine Mar. 20, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain June 29, 1933 

